C25k / couch to 5k - Spring 2019 new starters. All welcome!

[C25kTrier]

Hello to anyone who wants to join me over here

A few of us tagged onto the end of the new year/new you c25k gang but they were already at the end or had finished and so perhaps it is best for us to have a new one to discuss our newbie woes, aches and pains?

I’m at the beginning of week 3. Just been out again today, I should’ve done W3R2 but repeated w3r1 instead as I wasn’t comfortable last time, I think I took it too fast. Plus, it is ruddy boiling here today! It went much better and i’ll move on to w3r2 on Sunday.

Please join me, say hi and let us know where you are on the programme and update us on how you’re finding it.

Argggghhhh just when I thought I was getting back into the swing of C25K I've just had to have an emergency wisdom tooth extraction. It's sooooo painful and I feel sick. I was supposed to be doing a repeat of W5R2 tomorrow but not sure I'll be up to it! I'll see how I feel in the morning I suppose. Bugger 😡😡😡

Oh no sanity! Hope you feel better soon.
Anyone else thinking of attempting Park Run this Sat? 😬

@sanity hope you're feeling better.

I was fuming at my c25k app this morning. I decided to go for it and run wk5 r3 instead of repeating r2. I used the same route as I'd used for r2 and when I reached the point where I'd stopped at the 8 min mark I felt really good and happy to keep on going. After a bit I thought I must be coming up to the halfway mark but when I checked my phone my app had stopped. I tried to get it back but it just took me back to wk5 r3 so after a bit of cursing I restarted it and managed to fast forward it to the point where there was 15 mins left to run. By this time I'd been running for 10 mins easily but I did the 15 mins, although the last couple of mins nearly killed me. So I completed the run (plus a bit more) but having to sort the app out mid run did mar it a bit. Still bright side I should be able to run 25 mins in future

@suki I haven't even considered park run tbh. I'm not even sure what day/time our park run err runs. I only finish work at 8.30am. I'll probably go home, do wk6 r1 and then I'm back on work for 3pm. I don't drive so probably wouldn't have time to do it even if it's on with other stuff I need to get done.

Mygast, how are your ankles?

missing I find the app can be a bit dodgy for that sometimes. Very annoying but I suppose it’s a positive that we end up running longer?!

I did w6r2 today, so Sunday is w6r3 which is 25 minute run. I’m so into it now, I can’t believe it works so well. I need to work on my pace though - I was laughing at myself today thinking about how my run is really more of a trot than a run

@MissingPanda thank you :) got an ear infection so running isn't happening until that's sorted which is annoying.

That sucks about your run. I know how you're feeling though as my headphones caused my app to crash last week so I was spending time on the walking section sorting out my phone and it didn't help :(

Fingers crossed next run is a belter 🤞

The app messed up on me on my 2nd ever run and I was so annoyed that I deleted it and found an old watch with a timer. I printed the run details off and just go out with 90 90 3 3 90 90 3 3 (week 2)in my head. Its only the first few weeks that are complicated anyway

chaos that is brilliant!

chaos yes, it is a positive isn't it Well done on wk6 r2, I'm sure you'll have no problem with r3. I did smile at your mention of pace. I swear there are snails overtaking me when I run 🏃😂

sanity hope you get rid of that ear infection soon, nasty thing. We'll still be here when you're ready to run again.

Alma that's a good alternative. I've altered the display settings on my phone so the screen won't go to sleep until after 10 minutes of inactivity. Hopefully that will help. I'll also have to remember to tap the screen occasionally. I was so caught up in concentrating on my breathing and continuing to run that I forgot about the app.

I'm planning on running wk6 r1 tomorrow. Good luck to everyone who is also running. I'm sure you'll all succeed in whichever run you are doing.

Didn't make it to park run, but did my 1st nonstop 28 mins with my 10yo and loved it! chaos I'm with you - can't believe how well this programme actually works!

Can I join?
I'm on week 6, but had a bit of a setback...
Was all set to do week 6 run 2 today (was even looking forward to it!)
But I had to give up after 2 minutes into the first 10 minute run, I was so exhausted! Not out of breath exactly, just shattered!
😟
I was going at my normal, slow pace and I managed the 20 minute run a few days ago. There's been plenty of times with c25k where I've had to (and managed to) push through tiredness without giving up but I just couldn't today. I had a bad night's sleep last night, but if I used that as an excuse not to run I'll never reach 5k!
I have upped my exercise quite a bit recently, so I wonder whether I've pushed myself a bit too hard? Can't decide whether my body's telling me to rest today for good reason, or whether I need to just get on with it, apply some willpower and try again tonight.

Has anyone else ever had a similar problem?

Don't beat yourself up @SquishySquirmy. Speaking as a C25K graduate, week 6 is commonly considered one of the hardest weeks, mentally.

It will be a mental barrier stopping you, not physical. It's to do with having so much confidence following your 20 minute W5R3 run that you get a feeling of being incredible (which you are! But also still learning) and so psychologically expect more of yourself.

This is one of the exact reasons Week 5 and Week 6 are three different runs - because of developing your mental strength when running, as well as your physical strength. Running is easily 80% psychological - physically you can do it, you just think you can't.

So the answer - go slower than you think you need to. Much, much slower. As long as it's a running motion rather than a walking motion, go as slow as you need to. The most important thing is that you finish and don't give yourself permission to give up.

So slow right, right down to allow that to happen. Speed will come in time, right now it is of no consideration at all.

So I walked the parkrun route on Wednesday, and started c25k w1r2 part way round, so I covered 5k, with the programme the second half.

Did a new to me parkrun this morning, decided to set my own run/walk intervals to avoid running up the hills. My shins really started to hurt, were it not for a much fitter friend who had already finished and slowly walked the last lap with me I would have given up after 2 laps. I think i might have gone a bit too fast, hence the shin pain. I was almost crying - both with the pain, and the thought i would have to give up the running. Will try again in a couple of days, and take it really steady.

W7R2 done today. Only going to manage 3 this week instead of 4 but I will complete the week. Definitely finding the first half harder!
Panicking still about finishing the programme and not knowing what to do next. Must research!

Panicking still about finishing the programme and not knowing what to do next.

No need the panic, the NHS already sorted it for you:

Couch to 5K+ Running podcasts for graduates of Couchto5k

@FATEdestiny - thank you so much!!

I saw a physio on Friday and the good news is I can run again. The bad news is I have to go right back to W1. Still, it should be a bit easier this time and now I've got the right shoes I shouldn't get injured again.

I'm stupidly excited about being able to run again...wtf has happened to me?

Week 7 complete! Hot and sweaty one today

Well I managed 20 mins. It was incredibly hard work, I can’t get the breathing sorted, and I hate doing it. I am hugely envious, in a resentful poor-me-bring-on-the-violins kind of way, of everyone who is now into their stride and enjoying running.

But chin up. And if I can do it then there is hope for anyone looking ahead with trepidation to week 5. Everyone who said that carrying on is easier than run-walk-run - you were right.

However ... my ankle hurts and is swollen. It is an improvement on both ankles swelling after W5R2. Is this a recognised W5 ankle-itis? Mygast, I’m glad to hear your ankles are better.

MyGast that’s great news. I know it’s a pain having to start again, but you’ll be back where you were in no time.

NomNom I feel just like you. I really don’t think I’ll ever enjoy running. I’m doing it as a challenge to myself and because I have high blood pressure and want to improve my heart health.

I have my Zumba and Clubbercize and body pump which I love. I think once I’ve managed to do 30 mins I’ll try and keep it up once a week to maintain. I’ll never be one that runs 5 times a week rain or shine!

@NomNomNominativeDeterminism - not sure whether this is helpful but I found concentrating on breathing harder than not even thinking about it.
Trying to breath properly made me panic a bit.
I would slow down a bit instead. They are daunting but the longer runs get easier once you get past the first 10 mins. I hate it at the beginning now. I'm much more comfortable at 15 mins plus

I forgot I had joined this thread 🙈 I managed week 5 run 3 last week and am still astonished i managed 20 minutes without stopping. I also really struggled with week 6 run 2 and had to really force myself to do the second half of the second 10 minutes

W8R1 complete. Made the mistake of running in some long grass which was hard work! Carried on for at least a minute after the end!
So close to completing!!

Well done @Pardalis I'm picturing Laura Ingalls now running thru the field of flowers

Thanks Fate!

Pulled myself together and did the 2 X 10 minutes on Sunday!
25 minutes tonight, hopefully... I'll keep it really slow and just focus on running for 25mins, no matter how slow!